TRIBAL MOVEMENTS IN INDIA
Modern History
Introduction:
British policies caused deep disruption in tribal life—loss of land, forests, traditional authority, and forced labour. Tribals resisted through numerous revolts across regions. These uprisings reflected their struggle against economic exploitation, oppressive outsiders, and colonial rule.
Types of Tribal Groups:
1. Non-Frontier Tribes (89% of tribal population)
- Located in Central India, West-Central India and Andhra region.
2. Frontier Tribes (North-East India)
- Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura.
Characteristics of Tribal Revolts:
- Violence mainly directed at moneylenders, traders, and outsiders.
- Resentment against British-imposed laws destroying traditional systems.
- Many revolts led by prophetic or messiah-like leaders.
- Tribals fought with traditional weapons against modern British arms.
- The poorest helpers of society were generally left unharmed.
IMPORTANT TRIBAL MOVEMENTS OF MAINLAND INDIA
1. Pahariyas’ Rebellion (1778)
- Martial Pahariyas of Rajmahal Hills rebelled against British encroachments.
- British created ‘Damni-Kol’ area as buffer to maintain peace.
2. Chuar Uprising (1766–72; 1795–1816)
- Jungle Mahal (Midnapore) tribes rebelled due to famine, revenue hikes, economic distress.
- Leaders: Shyam Ganjan, Subla Singh, Dubraj.
- Major uprising under Durjan Singh (1798), zamindar of Raipur.
- Brutally suppressed by British.
3. Kol Mutiny (1831)
- Tribes of Chhotanagpur (Kols and others).
- Trigger: Land transfers to outsiders (Hindu, Sikh, Muslim moneylenders).
- Led by Buddho Bhagat.
- Rebels killed hundreds of outsiders; British used massive military force.
4. Ho & Munda Uprisings (1820–37)
- Ho revolt led by Raja of Parahat; suppressed but revived in 1831.
- Opposed new revenue policies and entry of outsiders.
- Birsa Munda Rebellion (1899–1900):
- Started as a religious movement.
- Opposed zamindari, moneylenders, forest contractors.
- Birsa Munda captured and died in jail.
5. Santhal Rebellion (1855–56)
- Santhals of Rajmahal plains oppressed by zamindars, moneylenders, and police.
- Leaders: Sidhu & Kanhu.
- Declared end of Company rule; established autonomous area.
- Suppressed by 1856.
6. Khond Uprisings (1837–56)
- Odisha and Andhra region.
- Led by Chakra Bisoi.
- Opposed abolition of human sacrifice, new taxes, entry of zamindars.
7. Koya Revolts (1803–1886)
- Eastern Godavari region (Andhra).
- Multiple uprisings: 1803, 1840, 1845, 1858, 1861, 1862.
- Led by Tomma Sora (1879–80) and later Raja Anantayyar (1886).
- Against police oppression, forest restrictions, moneylenders.
8. Bhil Revolts (1817–19; 1913)
- Western Ghats tribal group.
- Reasons: famine, economic hardship, misrule.
- Controlled by force and reforms.
- Govind Guru later organised Bhils in Rajasthan for ‘Bhil Raj’.
9. Koli Risings (1829–48)
- Western India.
- Opposed unemployment caused by British rule and destruction of forts.
10. Ramosi Revolts (1822–29; 1839–41)
- Western Ghats tribe.
- Leaders: Chittur Singh (1822), Umaji Naik (1825–26), Bapu Trimbakji Sawant.
- Opposed annexation policies of the British.
11. Bhuyan & Juang Rebellions (Orissa)
- Leaders: Ratna Nayak, Dharni Dhar Nayak.
- Revolts in 1867–68 and 1891–93.
- Opposed installation of British-supported ruler in Keonjhar.
12. Tana Bhagat Movement (1914–15)
- Among Mundas and Oraons of Chhotanagpur.
- Leaders: Jatra Bhagat, Balram Bhagat.
- Religious reform + opposition to outsiders.
- Early example of Sanskritisation influence.
IMPORTANT TRIBAL MOVEMENTS OF NORTH-EAST INDIA
1. Khasi Uprising (1829–33)
- Caused by British attempt to build a road from Brahmaputra valley to Sylhet.
- Led by Khasi chief Tirut Singh.
- Garos joined the resistance.
- Prolonged guerrilla warfare for four years; finally suppressed.
2. Singpho Rebellion (1830; 1839; 1843)
- Located in Assam.
- First revolt in 1830; suppressed in 3 months.
- 1839: Killed British political agent.
- 1843: Chief Nirang Phidu attacked British garrison.
- 1849: Khasma Singhphos attacked British village.
3. Ahom Revolt (1828–33)
- British had promised to withdraw after First Burma War but did not.
- Led by Gomdhar Konwar.
- British later restored parts of Ahom territory to Assamese ruler Purandar Singh.
4. Kuki Revolt (1917–19), Manipur
- Against forced labour recruitment during World War I.
5. Tribal Movements in Tripura
- 1863: Parikshit Jamatia led revolt against house tax hike and outsider settlements.
- 1920s: Movement led by Bharti Singh.
- 1942–43: Reangs revolted under Ratnamani.
6. Zeliangrong Movement (1920s)
- Tribes: Zemi, Liangmei, Rongmei.
- Against British failure to protect them from Kuki raids.
7. Naga Movement (1905–31)
- Led by Jadonang.
- For Naga Raj; against British interference.
8. Heraka Movement (1930s)
- Led by Gaidinliu.
- Religious-nationalist movement; suppressed.
- Led to formation of Kabui Naga Association (1946).
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Subject: Modern History
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